A.J.

Francis

#96

Defensive Lineman

Height:
6'5"

Weight:
305

Year:
Senior

Hometown:
Severn, Md.

High School:
Gonzaga College [D.C.] HS

Experience:
3 Letters

Career Statistics &dtrif;&rtrif;

Bio

A talented fifth-year player who started on the interior of the defensive line in 2009-10 ... a durable performer who has played in each of the last 37 games ... has 23 career starts ... a 2009 freshman All-American ... a three-time Academic All-ACC choice

As a Junior (2011): Played in all 12 games with four starts at defensive tackle ... earned Academic All-ACC honors for the third straight season ... a preseason third team All-ACC choice by Phil Steele ... recorded a pair of tackles against Miami (9/5) ... had one stop against West Virginia (9/17) ... in on one assisted tackle against Temple (9/24) ... didn't record a tackle but recovered a fumble against Towson (10/1) ... had his best game of the season against Georgia Tech (10/8), finishing second on the team with a season-high nine tackles ... also had a pass breakup against the Yellow Jackets ... recorded four tackles against Clemson (10/15) ... returned to a starting role against Florida State (10/22) and had four tackles, including his first sack of the season ... came off the bench to play against Boston College (10/29) but didn't have a tackle ... in on one assisted tackle against Virginia (11/5) ... had four tackles and one TFL in a start against Notre Dame (11/12) ... made five tackles including one sack against NC State (11/26).

As a Sophomore (2010): Played at nose tackle in all 13 games, including nine starts ... ranked second on the team in tackles among defensive linemen with a career-high 44 ... tied for third on the team with 7.0 tackles for loss ... tied for fourth on the squad in sacks (2.5) ... made two stops against Navy (9/6) ... recorded one stop against Morgan State (9/11) in limited action ... had five tackles against West Virginia (9/18) ... despite not starting the game, set a career-high with 11 tackles against FIU (9/25), including a career-best tying three solo stops ... was involved on a tackle in nearly one of every four plays against FIU ... his 11 stops were the most by a Maryland defensive lineman in six years (12 by Shawne Merriman, 11/27/04) and doubled his previous top effort (5 tackles twice) ... on the field for 48 plays vs. FIU, but also added a tackle for loss, one of six on the day for the Terps ... nominated for ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week for his play vs. FIU ... had three stops, all of them solo, which matched a career high, against Duke (10/2), and also had a TFL ... recorded five tackles, including one tackle for a loss, against Clemson (10/16) despite not starting the game ... started vs. Wake Forest (10/30) and set career highs in sacks (1.5) and tackles for loss (2.5), causing opposing ballcarriers to lose a total of 20 yards on the day ... nominated for ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week for his play vs. Wake ... posted three stops, including 1/2 tackle for loss, against Miami (11/6) ... had three tackles against Virginia (11/13) ... recorded four total tackles, including one sack, against NC State (11/27) ... did not start, but had a pair of tackles vs. East Carolina in the Military Bowl (12/29).

As a Redshirt Freshman (2009): An honorable mention freshman All-America choice from College Football News ... freshman All-ACC choice from Sporting News ... also an Academic All-ACC choice ... played in all 12 games at nose tackle, starting 10 ... his 31 tackles were tops among Maryland defensive linemen ... made one tackle in his first game against California (9/5) ... recorded a season-high five tackles against James Madison (9/12) ... blocked a PAT against MTSU (9/19) ... posted his first career sack against Rutgers (9/26), dropping the QB for a loss of eight ... also forced a fumble for the first time in his career against the Scarlet Knights ... tallied four stops against Clemson (10/3), as well as his first career pass breakup ... had three stops vs. Duke (10/24) and NC State (11/7) ... had three tackles vs. NC State (11/7) and graded as the top defensive lineman, along with Isaiah Ross ... had four stops against Virginia Tech (11/14) ... recorded one stop against Florida State (11/21) and Boston College (11/28).

As a Freshman (2008): Redshirt season ... made the travel squad for the first four road games.

At Gonzaga College [D.C.] High School: One of the top players in the District of Columbia as a senior ... a three-year starter at defensive tackle and a two-year starter at offensive tackle ... the No. 4-ranked player in Washington D.C. by Rivals.com as a senior when he posted 61 tackles, including 26 for loss and 4.5 sacks ... also had 71 pancake blocks ... rated No. 68 nationally among defensive tackles by Rivals.com ... labeled a three-star recruit by Rivals.com ... also ranked No. 82 nationally among offensive guards by Scouts.com ... a 2007 first-team All-WCAC selection along the defensive line ... also named first-team All-Met and first-team All-Pigskin Club ... played in the 2007 U.S. Army All-American Bowl ... an honorable mention All-Met choice as a junior when he racked up 71 tackles, including 4.5 sacks ... also had 60 pancakes blocks as an offensive tackle ... also considered Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, Notre Dame, UCLA, Florida State Virginia and BC ... coached by Kenny Lucas (first three years) and Joe Reyda (senior year).

Personal: Born in Washington, D.C. ... full name is Anthony Joseph Francis ... parents are Michael and Carrie Francis ... has one younger sister, Julia ... enjoys writing poetry and music ... took part in the high school's spring musical each year ... volunteered with S.O.M.E (So Others May Eat), which fed homeless people in Washington, D.C. ... had a long commute during high school, traveling nearly 30 miles one way ... recipient of the LeFrak Scholarship ... earned his degree in government and politics in Dec. 2011.